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Prognostic Value of Pre-Treatment Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging for Progression-Free Survival Prediction in Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

  • 0Department of Radiology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.
Cancer Medicine +

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April 25, 2025

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April 25, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) shows mean kurtosis (MK) is a strong predictor of long-term progression-free survival (PFS) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Combining MK with clinical stage and neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves prognostic accuracy for personalized treatment.

Area Of Science

  • Radiology
  • Oncology
  • Medical Imaging

Background

  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis relies on accurate predictive biomarkers.
  • Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) offers insights into tissue microstructure.
  • Evaluating novel imaging techniques for NPC prognostication is crucial.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To assess the prognostic value of DKI-derived parameters for long-term progression-free survival (PFS) in NPC.
  • To determine if mean kurtosis (MK) can predict long-term outcomes in NPC patients.
  • To integrate DKI findings with clinical factors for improved prognostic stratification.

Main Methods

  • A cohort of 295 NPC patients underwent pretreatment 3.0T MRI with DKI.
  • Key DKI metrics derived included mean kurtosis (MK), mean diffusion (MD), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
  • Statistical analyses, including Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, were performed on clinical and imaging data.

Main Results

  • High MK values were significantly associated with superior long-term PFS rates compared to low MK values.
  • Multivariate analysis identified Clinical Stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimens, and MK as independent prognostic factors for PFS.
  • A prognostic nomogram integrating Clinical Stage, NAC, and MK demonstrated moderate predictive accuracy for 2-, 5-, and 10-year PFS.

Conclusions

  • Pretreatment mean kurtosis (MK) derived from DKI is a robust, noninvasive biomarker for predicting long-term PFS in NPC.
  • Integrating MK with clinical stage and neoadjuvant chemotherapy enhances prognostic stratification.
  • These findings support the use of DKI in developing personalized therapeutic strategies for NPC.

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